University of Southampton Calendar 2014/15


University Calendar 2014/15 Section X : Academic Regulations - Faculty of Health Sciences

Academic Unit	Health Sciences
Final Award	Master of Science (MSc)
Programme(s)	Health Sciences
Last modified	July 2014

Reference should be made to the University's General Regulations found in Section IV and Section V (Higher Degree Regulations) of the University Calendar.

Except where an opt-out has been granted by the University (see below) the following academic regulations apply in addition to the General Regulations.

Admissions

Candidates must satisfy the Regulations for Admission to Degree Programmes as specified in Section IV of the University Calendar. In addition, the normal requirement for entry to all programmes is a second class honours degree in a relevant discipline of an approved University or institution of higher education or other, equivalent qualifications or appropriate experience.

All candidates must satisfy the Programme Leader that they are competent to pursue the programme. Candidates must also be approved by the Faculty of Health Sciences. The right to refuse permission shall be reserved to the Programme Leader.

Candidates whose first language is not English are required either:

to reach a satisfactory standard in an approved test in English. The Faculty of Health Sciences' International English Language Testing System (IELTS) requirement is 6.5 overall with each component at 6.0 or higher. Other Secure English Language Tests (SELT) are accepted as identified on the university website at: http://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/admissions/admissionspolicies/language/, or
to offer a first degree from a UK university, or
to have been instructed in English and come from a country which appears on the list of those exempt from testing.

If the candidate cannot provide any of the above requirements, they must otherwise demonstrate to the Faculty that they have an adequate command of both written and spoken English language to follow the proposed course. An original English language certificate is required as evidence in all cases except where online verification is available; ie: IELTS results.

Candidates may register for one of the following:

MSc, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate

Recognition of Prior Learing (RPL)
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will be considered on a case by case basis in accordance with the University regulations for prior learning. Students may apply for RPL for any of the modules they select to study with the exception of Research Methods for Evidence Based Practice and the Dissertation modules for which no RPL applications will be accepted.

Structure of Programme(s)

The programme structure is as follows:

90 ECTS (equivalent to 180 CATS) at HE7 level (60 ECTS taught credits plus a dissertation of 30 ECTS)
Individual modules: specified credits at HE7 level. (Most modules are 10 ECTS (20 CATS)

All modules once selected are core. The programme may be of full-time or part-time study. The full-time period of study is normally one year, and a minimum of two years/maximum of five years for part-time study.

The programme may include lectures, seminars, tutorials (each of these may be delivered online and/or face to face), practical work, coursework, contract learning and projects as specified for individual modules. Candidates will select their modules in consultation with, and with the approval of, the Programme Leader or designated pathway leader.

Candidates will be required to undertake a dissertation that will normally be in the form of a paper for publication with supporting log book and critical reflection. This will be on a topic to be agreed with the academic supervisor. The dissertation must be submitted within the relevant timeframe specified by the Faculty. Part-time candidates may commence their dissertation before all taught modules are complete, but cannot submit it until all taught modules are successfully completed.

Progression

Progression Regulations are as described in the University Calendar, Section IV : General Regulations; Progression, Determination and Classification of Results. The module pass mark and overall pass mark for the award of MSc is 50%.

Assessment

Each module will be assessed according to the assessment guidelines within the module profile. Assessments may include written assignments, case studies, critical reports, practical or written examinations, reflective assignments, and a dissertation. In addition, candidates may be required to attend a viva voce examination.

When attending for an examination you must produce either your university ID card or a form of photographic ID in which you are clearly identifiable. Students without photographic ID will not be permitted entry to the examination.

Work submitted up to 5 days after the deadline will be marked as usual. The final agreed mark is then reduced by the factors detailed in the relevant University Policy; see: https://sharepoint.soton.ac.uk/sites/ese/quality_handbook/Handbook/Assessment%20Framework.aspx

Award of Qualification(s)

Candidates who have satisfied the examiners and who have accumulated the requisite number of credits shall be awarded the qualification for which they have registered in accordance with the University Regulations for Progression, Determination and Classification of Results..

Candidates who fail to achieve a pass mark in the dissertation (even after any permitted re-assessment) may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma.

Candidates who elect to exit the programme after achieving 30 ECTS (60 CATS) at HE7 level may normally be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences. For the award of Postgraduate Certificate (30 ECTS) students must complete of the following:

Research Methods for Evidence Based Practice (10 ECTS); and either
20 additional ECTS from any modules offered within the Faculty of Health Sciences or in negotiation with the programme leader from another University of Southampton Faculty; or
if registered for a specific pathway within the programme, 20 ECTS accumulated from the modules that are core to that pathway as stated in the programme specification.

Candidates who elect to exit the programme having achieved 60 ECTS at HE7 level may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences.

For the award of Postgraduate Diploma (60 ECTS) students must complete all the module requirements of their chosen pathway with the exception of the dissertation.

Placements/Study Abroad/Exchange/Fieldwork

Not applicable.

Other

These regulations may be revised during the student's period of registration in accordance with the procedures approved by Senate.

Compensation
Compensation is not permitted on this programme.

Fitness to Practice
Students are advised to acquaint themselves with the University Fitness to Practice Policy which is used within the Faculty of Health Sciences.

Students who elect to leave the programme with a Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma may normally rejoin the programme up to two years after the date of their exit with the Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma.